On Wednesday, April 22, the LA City Council voted unanimously to draft a “right-of-recall” ordinance that would ensure janitorial, maintenance, hotel and airport workers laid off amid the COVID-19 outbreak would have the opportunity to reclaim their jobs once the pandemic is over and the economy begins to recover.

The plan would require industries such as hospitality, large event centers, property management services and airport employers to offer laid off employees their jobs back based on seniority once they start rehiring. Former employees would have five days to respond to the recall opportunity.

“One of the first policies I worked on when I came to this Council was the Hotel Living Wage,” said Councilman Curren Price. “We raised wages of hospitality workers throughout this City to $15.37 an hour, and paved the way for a citywide minimum wage to follow. But we began the fight for the hotel workers because historically, they have been underpaid by businesses that are benefiting from the tourism that this City generates.

“I think it is fitting that during this time of emergency, that the Council once again acts to protect these vulnerable workers, many of whom have been laid-off, by enacting a right-of-recall.”

The ordinance is expected to come back for a final vote on April 29.

I want to take a moment to shine a beaming light onto the community leaders, community doers and community change makers that have come out in droves to put in the hard work and dedication needed to keep South LA strong during this dark time in history.

On Friday, April 17, at Vermont Square Park, we saw a few of these heavyweights in action once again. In partnership with Community Build, my Project Save team, Voices Neighborhood Council, and the Sam Simon Charitable Foundation, we were able to distribute bags of food, masks, hand sanitizers and coloring books for our young children. Throughout this public health emergency, we have collectively been able to provide thousands of bags of food and other essentials to District 9 families; and we could not be meeting the demand of the community without our valued partners.

Earlier in the week of April 13, Soledad Enrichment Action (SEA) began distributing food to youth ages 18 and younger. Through SEA's  efforts, they have been able to serve over 300 children in a matter of days with the intent that our kids will have enough food to last them the entire week. Please see the flier below to learn more about this special program, which our community desperately needs.

I have always believed that our community groups and nonprofits are a shadow government and heavily relied on in District 9. I recognize their contribution to sustaining our community, which is why on April 17, I held a virtual community update meeting with leaders across the spectrum. From members of our Neighborhood Councils, nonprofit organizations and front line medical staff, we came together as one to hear and identify ways that we can stand as a united front against this pandemic.

These individuals have their hand on the pulse of what the dire needs of the community are and have taken the steps to ensure that our neighbors are taken care of. I could not be more proud of their work. I pledge to continue to work with these powerhouses so that our community knows that the best team is assembled, working around-the-clock, and will stop at nothing to lift our neighbors up during this international catastrophe.

If you need any resources, be it masks, meals for seniors, or have any other concern, don’t hesitate to reach out to my District Office at (323) 846-2651. 

Keep your spirits up and take care of one another.

Atención vecinos de CD 9: ahora hay solicitudes disponibles para aplicar para vivienda asequible en Apartamentos Florence Mills. Consulte los folletos a continuación para obtener información más detallada sobre los requisitos. Tenga en cuenta: Hollywood Community Housing se pondrá en contacto con aquellas personas que cumplan con los criterios de elegibilidad. Más información en (866) 218-2126. Haga clic aquí para la solicitud de alquiler, imprima y envíe a Florence Mills Apartments, PO Box 1790, Los Ángeles, CA 90078

El desarrollo de uso mixto Florence Mills en 1099 E. 35th St. traerá 19 nuevas unidades de Vivienda de Apoyo Permanente (PSH) para veteranos y 54 unidades de vivienda asequible para individuos y familias de bajos y muy bajos ingresos.

El nuevo desarrollo lleva el nombre en honor de la intérprete Florence Mills, que cautivó al público durante la era del jazz. El proyecto incluye 5,000 pies cuadrados de espacio comercial y presentará un mural que ilustra la cultura histórica del jazz que dio vida a Avenida Central.

Actualmente, hay más de 1,200 unidades en camino para apoyar a las familias trabajadoras locales y reducir la población sin hogar. Más adelante este año, la comunidad del Distrito 9 abrirá las puertas a cinco nuevos desarrollos, incluidos los Apartamentos Florence Mills.

Rental applications are now available for affordable housing in Florence Mills Apartments. See the flyers below for more detailed information on requirements. Please note: Hollywood Community Housing will follow-up with those individuals that meet the eligibility criteria and provide further instructions. More info at (866) 218-2126. You must print and submit the completed application to: Florence Mills Apartments, PO Box 1790, Los Angeles, CA 90078. Click here for the rental application.

The Florence Mills mixed-use development at 1099 E. 35th St. will bring 19 new Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) units for veterans and 54 units of affordable housing for low and very-low income residents.

The new development is named in honor of performer Florence Mills who captivated audiences during the Jazz Age. The project includes 5,000 square feet of commercial space and will feature a mural illustrating the historic jazz culture that brought Central Avenue to life.

Currently, there are more than 1,200 units on the way to support local working families and reduce the homeless population. Later this year, the District 9 community will open the doors to five new such developments, including Florence Mills Apartments.

Neighbor--

Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, participation in the 2020 Census count is more imperative than ever. With billions of dollars on the line to support communities over the next 10 years, getting an accurate count can make a world of difference.

Immigrant families with members of mixed status could rest easy knowing that the information collected by the Census is completely confidential and your information will not be shared with any other government agency. That means that every member living under your roof needs to be included on the Census form.

Remember, the Census numbers are the determining factor in how Federal funds are distributed to communities for hospitals, schools, roads, public works and other vital programs. The only way to ensure the community receives its fair share is by making sure everyone is counted.

Emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic are precisely why the government needs accurate Census data. Communities across the spectrum are reminded of the outstanding responsibility to families and individuals to maintain a strong foundation for generations to come, and the population data collected this year will be pertinent during our recovery from this public health crisis.

In light of the COVID-19 situation, the Census Bureau has extended the self-response period through Aug. 14. With only nine questions, the process from beginning to end takes less than 10 minutes to complete. For more information, see the flyers below, visit the Census online at https://my2020census.gov/ or over the phone in English by dialing (844) 330-2020 or in Spanish at (844) 468-2020.

Vecino/a--

En medio de la pandemia de coronavirus, la participación en el Conteo del Censo 2020 es más imperativa que nunca. Con miles de millones de dólares en la línea para apoyar a las comunidades durante los próximos 10 años, obtener un recuento de la poblacion preciso va a hacer una gran diferencia.

Las familias con estatus inmigratorio mixto podrían estar tranquilos sabiendo que la información recopilada por el Censo es completamente confidencial y su información no se compartirá con ninguna otra agencia gubernamental. Eso significa que cada miembro que vive bajo su techo debe ser incluido en el formulario del Censo.

Recuerde, los resultados de este conteo son el factor determinante en cómo se distribuyen los fondos federales a las comunidades para hospitales, escuelas, carreteras, obras públicas y otros programas vitales. La única forma de asegurar que la comunidad reciba su parte justa es asegurándose de que el conteo sea preciso y todos sean contados.

Las emergencias como la pandemia de COVID-19 son precisamente por qué el gobierno necesita datos completo del censo. Se recuerda a las comunidades de todo el espectro la gran responsabilidad que tienen las familias y las personas de mantener una base sólida para las generaciones venideras, y los datos de población recopilados este año serán pertinentes durante nuestra recuperación de esta crisis de salud pública.

A la luz de la situación de COVID-19, la Oficina del Censo ha extendido el período de auto-respuesta hasta el 14 de agosto. Con solo nueve preguntas, el proceso de principio a fin tarda menos de 10 minutos en completarse. Para obtener más información, consulte los folletos a continuación, visite el Censo en línea en https://my2020census.gov/ o por teléfono en inglés marcando (844) 330-2020 o en español al (844) 468-2020.

The LA City Council held an emergency meeting on Friday, March 27 to approve key measures that help individuals and families cope with the COVID-19 outbreak. During the lengthy, hours-long session, the City Council approved the following ordinances:

• Coronavirus eviction moratorium that protects residential and commercial tenants. Evictions for individuals and businesses that are not able to pay the rent during the emergency period due to COVID-19 are temporarily halted. Residential tenants will have up to one year following the expiration of the emergency to repay any back rent due. Commercial tenants would have three months to pay back any missed rent payments. Landlords would not be able to charge late fees or interest.

• Businesses with 500 or more employees nationally will be required to offer 80 hours of paid sick leave to their workers for COVID-19 related absences. 

• Safeguards for grocery, drug store and food delivery workers that provides flexible work schedules to address childcare, family and healthcare needs during the emergency, and protects workers from retaliation.

• Food retail stores must designate the first hour of each shopping day for seniors and those with disabilities.

Have questions about LA's eviction moratorium? Contact HCID's hotline at (866) 557-7368 or visit https://hcidla.lacity.org/covid-19-eviction-moratorium

LA City Councilmember Curren Price stood alongside Council President Nury Martinez and Council President Emeritus Herb Wesson on Thursday, March 26 to kick off an initiative that will provide 200,000 diapers to families who may not be able to find or afford diapers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The donation from the Good+Foundation will bring much-needed relief to families in need. In all, Councilmember Price’s Office will help allocate 10,000 diapers to CD 9 families. The distribution will be coordinated in collaboration with nonprofits and faith-based organizations that assist low-income and other families in need.

“We’ve seen news of individuals hoarding toilet paper, panic buying and stockpiling,” said Councilmember Price. “This morning, we did quite the opposite. To the desperate mother or father who can’t find or afford diapers, we say, ‘Don’t worry, we got you!’

With the combined efforts of people and organizations willing to sacrifice their own resources to provide essential items to ease the burdens that the coronavirus has caused, we will get through this dark moment together and come out stronger."

Founded in 2001 by Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld, the Good+Foundation is a leading national nonprofit that works to dismantle multi-generational poverty by pairing tangible goods with innovative services for low-income fathers, mothers and caregivers, creating an upward trajectory for the whole family.